Biden on slain diplomats: 'As courageous as any of our warriors'

By Byron Tau

09/12/12 01:14 PM EDT

FAIRBORN, Ohio — Starting his Ohio campaign rally on a somber note, Vice President Joe Biden paused to remember the four American diplomats killed in Libya — casualties that included the United States ambassador to Libya.

"As we always have, Americans must be steadfast, resolved and committed in the face of such horrific events," Biden told supporters.

Biden told supporters that foreign service officers and other diplomatic personnel serving in dangerous countries were just as brave as any member of the military.

"Being a foreign service officer ain't all about going to coffees and teas," Biden said. "So many of them, as I speak, are risking their lives in Afghanistan this moment."

"It's not hyperbole to say brave," Biden said.

"Our ambassador risks his life repeatedly while the war in Libya to get rid of that dictator was going on," Biden said about the late Christopher Stevens, who he noted worked on the Foreign Relations committee — a panel that Biden chaired when he was a senator.

"These men are as brave sand as courageous as any of our warriors," Biden said.